HOW I’M HELPING MY KIDS (AND MYSELF!) TO KICK THE SCREEN TIME HABIT
HOW I’M HELPING MY KIDS (AND MYSELF!) TO KICK THE SCREEN TIME HABIT
Now that kids are back in school, it’s so easy for my family to slip into those summer-style afternoon screen routines. It’s that final push to dinnertime that always gets us! We all know that just about anything is okay in moderation, but my little kiddos’ brains can get so easily overloaded and detached from the social world around them with even small amounts of screen time. I’m sure you’re already thinking about this ever-evolving topic. I wanted to share five strategies (and a few resources) that are working for my family to encourage my elementary-aged kids (and myself!) to break the screen habit. We’ve got this!
Number 1: Model screen-free behavior
This is a big one! If my hope is for my kids to desire screens less, then they need to see me on screens less! Whether it’s picking up my phone when I’m bored, checking that email that can wait, or any of the other hundred reasons I find myself on screens in front of my kids, I need to be the one to cut back first and model the behavior I wish to see in my kids. I absolutely LOVED The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World. This book encouraged me more than any other to dive deeper into my relationship with technology and also the hustle culture I get very easily swept into.
Number 2: Set boundaries
We try to employ a “no screens on school days” limit in our house. It’s not always perfect but it’s a really helpful boundary for my kids when they start to ask, “can we watch…” and they usually remember and finish the sentence with, “oh wait! It’s a school day. Never mind.” Like I said, not always perfect, and this by no means is the best way for all families, but it has served as a baseline that’s really helped my kids who truly thrive with boundaries and structure. I try to keep our screen limits clear and concise and BE CONSISTENT. In seasons when full week days have felt too hard (or that rogue day home sick that equals a Bluey marathon 😅), I’ve tried “no screens at meal times” or “no screens before school” to get us back into rhythm. Let me know when you figure out how to do this on the weekends 🙃.
Number 3: Sign them up for organized sports
Honestly, signing my kids up for sports that take up a chunk of the weekend and often time during the week was REALLY HARD WORK. However, it has been well worth it for my family. According to this study, “Those who play sports, take music lessons, or socialize with friends after school are happier and healthier than children who are glued to a screen during these hours.” Not only is playing a sport an easy time to naturally be away from a screen, my kids get the opportunity to socialize with their peers–a terrible loss with loads of screen time! Add in the benefits of team spirit and camaraderie and we’re well on our way to kind and empathetic children.
Number 4: NO. SOCIAL. MEDIA.
This may be controversial but we are approaching young teen life with a no social media rule. It seems like every day I hear new staggering statistics about teen mental health. Many experts are sounding the siren call that kids are growing up with more anxiety and less self-esteem than ever before. I feel strongly that it’s in my kids’ best interest for me to help them see that the risks outweigh the rewards when it comes to engaging with social media too early. This also goes back to modeling. Thinking through this topic for my kids has propelled me to examine my own relationship with social media. I highly recommend How to Break Up with Your Phone. This book helped me think through my own relationship with social media and the ways it was helping and hurting me.
Number 5: Do screen-free activities TOGETHER!
Nothing entices my kids away from screens like time spent with me. Rather than telling them to go play outside, I need to join them! Kick a soccer ball around, grab the sidewalk chalk, or keep a kite on hand for a breezy day. When the weather is not permitting (which honestly isn’t that often in Los Angeles), we love creating together. This is exactly why I created the How to Draw Book for Kids. We can be guided by a few drawing tutorials and, with just a handful of art supplies, create something silly and enjoy a quiet moment together. This is also the time when my kids are the most likely to open up about their day and their inner thought lives. Quiet presence with busy hands has always been our best bet for connection.
What strategies are you using to help your kids (and you!) kick the screen habit? I’d especially love to hear how that’s going with your teens! Can’t wait to share your strategies in future posts!
We’re in this together,
Jacy
Paper Peony Press
